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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2019 UPDATE

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Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS)

Status: No national drinking water standard exists

 

Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

2012-2017:

FOUND
FOUND ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES

11

states detected

35

utilities detected

830,000

people served

9

states over health guideline

25

utilities over health guideline

440,000

people served over health guideline

Health concerns for perfluorobutane sulfonate

Cancer

Harm to the immune system

Hormone disruption

Harm to fetal growth and child development

Harm to the liver

State and national drinking water standards and health guidelines

EWG Health Guideline 1 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for perfluorobutane sulfonate was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

ppt = parts per trillion

States reporting perfluorobutane sulfonate in drinking water

UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State UtilitiesPeople Served UtilitiesPeople Served
Wisconsin005238,297
Georgia7202,5967202,596
Massachusetts328,9546140,211
Alabama665,727665,727
California00240,900
Michigan140,891140,891
Minnesota133,930133,930
Pennsylvania125,000125,000
Washington122,926122,926
Colorado119,000119,000
Rhode Island49044904
MORE
LESS

Filtering technologies that reduce perfluorobutane sulfonate

carbon filter icon

Activated Carbon

reverse osmosis icon

Reverse Osmosis

Utilities with the highest amounts of perfluorobutane sulfonate, 2012-2017

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Rome*Rome, GA4 of 4240.0 ppt45,586
Calhoun*Calhoun, GA4 of 8135.0 ppt49,088
Talking Rock Creek PropertiesChatsworth, GA4 of 8135.0 ppt270
Cottage GroveCottage Grove, MN27 of 10630.0 ppt33,930
Rainbow City Utilities Board*Rainbow City, AL1 of 425.0 ppt11,748
Devens Massdevelopment*Devens, MA5 of 914.9 ppt6,500
Security Waster DistrictColorado Springs, CO4 of 3811.6 ppt19,000
Cedar Bluff Utilities BoardCedar Bluff, AL2 of 2610.8 ppt3,858
Northeast Alabama Water System*Fort Payne, AL2 of 2610.8 ppt42,609
Dalton Utilities*Dalton, GA1 of 1210.00 ppt99,315
Issaquah Water SystemIssaquah, WA1 of 94.16 ppt22,926
Exeter Job Corps CenterProvidence, RI1 of 23.37 ppt300
Ladd Center Water System*North Kingstown, RI1 of 23.37 ppt129
Horsham Water&sewer Authority*Horsham, PA1 of 343.24 ppt25,000
Oakland Association Inc.Oakland, RI2 of 51.90 ppt175
Quonochontaug East Beach Water AssociationCharlestown, RI1 of 31.89 ppt300
Hudson Water SupplyHudson, MA6 of 121.78 ppt18,954
Plainfield TownshipGrand Rapids, MI1 of 51.08 ppt40,891
Mashpee Water District*Mashpee, MA1 of 150.800 ppt34,257
Sierra Army DepotHerlong, CA1 of 60.667 ppt1,500
Hyannis Water SystemHyannis, MA2 of 190.442 ppt35,000
Camp Pendleton (South)Camp Pendleton, CA2 of 910.397 ppt39,400
Westfield Water DepartmentWestfield, MA1 of 130.327 ppt42,000
Rimrock Road NeighborhoodFitchburg, WI3 of 510.133 ppt135
Shorewood Hills WaterworksMadison, WI3 of 510.133 ppt1,670
Maple Bluff WaterworksMadison, WI3 of 510.133 ppt1,342
Madison Water Utility*Madison, WI3 of 510.133 ppt235,000
Danville Drive Service AreaFitchburg, WI3 of 510.133 ppt150

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Rome*Rome, GA4 of 4240.0 ppt45,586
Calhoun*Calhoun, GA4 of 8135.0 ppt49,088
Cottage GroveCottage Grove, MN27 of 10630.0 ppt33,930
Rainbow City Utilities Board*Rainbow City, AL1 of 425.0 ppt11,748
Security Waster DistrictColorado Springs, CO4 of 3811.6 ppt19,000
Northeast Alabama Water System*Fort Payne, AL2 of 2610.8 ppt42,609
Dalton Utilities*Dalton, GA1 of 1210.00 ppt99,315
Issaquah Water SystemIssaquah, WA1 of 94.16 ppt22,926
Horsham Water&sewer Authority*Horsham, PA1 of 343.24 ppt25,000
Hudson Water SupplyHudson, MA6 of 121.78 ppt18,954
Plainfield TownshipGrand Rapids, MI1 of 51.08 ppt40,891
Mashpee Water District*Mashpee, MA1 of 150.800 ppt34,257
Hyannis Water SystemHyannis, MA2 of 190.442 ppt35,000
Camp Pendleton (South)Camp Pendleton, CA2 of 910.397 ppt39,400
Westfield Water DepartmentWestfield, MA1 of 130.327 ppt42,000
Madison Water Utility*Madison, WI3 of 510.133 ppt235,000

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.